MLB FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

This FAAB article is in addition to the AL and NL FAAB articles that run Sunday. Bids are based on a $100 FAAB budget. Throughout the season, this column will have two goals:

1. Identify FAAB targets for fantasy managers in leagues with Thursday FAAB.

2. Offer a preview of FAAB targets ahead of Sunday's columns.

Several players have gotten hot heading into the final week of the regular season and should offer a boost to fantasy teams in the final push, while star prospect Shane Baz was recalled by the Rays on Monday and has the chance to make a major-league impact late in the season. In leagues where this is the last waiver cycle, managers should spend the remainder of their FAAB in this week's waiver claims.

Starting Pitcher

Shane Baz, Rays: Baz nearly made the column last week, but he was passed over for Friday's start. However, he was still called up Monday to make his major-league debut. The 22-year-old was effective in his first start with the Rays and gave up two runs while striking out five in five innings. The right-hander lines up to make his next start at home against the Marlins on Sunday. Although the Rays will likely monitor Baz's workload closely late in the year, he offers value in redraft leagues during the final season in the year, and he should be rostered in nearly all keeper leagues. FAAB: $15

Joe Ryan, Twins: Ryan had a few extra days to rest after his last start due to a wrist injury, but he returned to the mound Wednesday and didn't miss a beat, as he allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out 11 in five innings to earn the win against the Cubs. The right-hander now has a 2.45 ERA and 0.59 WHIP in 22 innings across his first four major-league starts, and he lines up for starts against the Tigers and Royals in the final week of the regular season. FAAB: $10

Jon Lester, Cardinals: Lester has had his ups and downs in 2021, but he's been much more consistent recently and has turned in quality starts in four of his last five starts. He's recorded a 2.35 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 30.2 innings across that span and has picked up three wins in those five appearances. The southpaw picked up his 200th career win in his last outing and lines up for a pair of relatively favorable matchups against the Cubs to close out the season. FAAB: $8

Josh Rogers, Nationals: Rogers was called up in early September and has been productive across his first four starts of 2021. He's recorded a 2.16 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 25 innings across his four outings with the Nationals, although his 16.2 percent strikeout rate leaves something to be desired. Rogers posted an 8.65 ERA in 26 innings across eight appearances (three starts) in the majors between 2018 and 2019, but he should help ratios across the final few weeks of the year. FAAB: $6

Wily Peralta, Tigers: Peralta had some trouble going deep into games earlier in the year, but he's lasted at least six innings in each of his last two starts. He's tossed 13 scoreless innings across that span and has a 0.77 WHIP with eight strikeouts. The right-hander hasn't given up more than three runs in any of his last six outings and should offer help in ratios, even if his counting stats leave something to be desired. FAAB: $5

Tyler Anderson, Mariners: Anderson gave up seven runs in 10.2 innings across his first two starts in September, but he's turned things around recently with a 1.59 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 11.1 innings across his last two outings. The southpaw is slated to face a relatively favorable opponent in the Angels during his final two starts of the season, and he offers plenty of fantasy value if he can keep his hot streak going. FAAB: $3

Relief Pitcher

Joe Barlow, Rangers: Barlow has tossed 6.1 scoreless innings across his last seven appearances, and he's been rewarded with high-leverage work as a result. The righty has converted saves in four of his last five outings and has been the clear favorite for closing duties. The Rangers have a favorable schedule to finish the year with matchups against Cleveland, the Orioles and the Angels, so Barlow should have a fair amount of work in the ninth inning. FAAB: $7

Michael Fulmer, Tigers: Since Gregory Soto was ruled out for the season with a finger injury Sunday, Fulmer has reclaimed ninth-inning duties for the Tigers. The right-hander has performed well recently with 5.1 scoreless innings across his last four outings to earn three saves. He has experience in the role with 11 saves in 2021, and he'll likely remain in the closer's role during the final week and a half of the season. FAAB: $5

Andrew Chafin, Athletics: Chafin has taken over as Oakland's closer recently, but he's had some shaky performances in his high-leverage role. He's converted three of his last four save chances across his last six appearances, but he has a lackluster 3.38 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in 5.1 innings during that time. While the southpaw has been relatively effective at limiting runs given the high number of baserunners he's allowed, his struggles to keep the basepaths clear could lead the Athletics to turn elsewhere in some high-leverage situations. FAAB: $3

Catcher

Daulton Varsho, Diamondbacks: Although Varsho snapped a six-game hitting streak Wednesday, he's still swung a hot bat recently and has started each of the last eight games. The 25-year-old has had a power surge across the last two weeks, as he's hit .283 with two home runs, a triple, four doubles, eight RBI, six runs and a stolen base across his last 11 appearances. Varsho has provided relatively consistent production at one of the weakest fantasy positions and is an option heading into the final week of the season. FAAB: $3

First Base

Hunter Dozier, Royals: Dozier has reached base safely in eight of his last nine appearances, and he recorded a 1.182 OPS with four home runs, two doubles, seven RBI and six runs across that span. Although the 30-year-old has hit mainly in the bottom third of the Royals' lineup, his recent performance has been much better than his overall performance this year in which he has a .673 OPS. He has multi-position eligibility and has been performing well in ratios and counting stats recently. FAAB: $4

Second Base

Gavin Lux, Dodgers: Lux was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sept. 10, and he's made 10 appearances since rejoining the major-league club. He's put up five multi-hit performances during that time and has slashed .438/.514/.656 with a home run, a triple, two doubles, nine runs and nine RBI. The 23-year-old has been a consistent presence in the Dodgers' lineup since his call-up, and he's been proficient at producing runs. FAAB: $7

Third Base

Matt Duffy, Cubs: Duffy has earned consistent playing time down the stretch and has started each of the last seven games. Across that span, he hit .321/.387/.683 with two home runs, three doubles, six runs, five RBI and two stolen bases. The Cubs have had some offensive woes during the second half of the year after trading their core group of players at the trade deadline, but Duffy has been a versatile contributor for the team with consistent at-bats. FAAB: $5

Shortstop

Brendan Rodgers, Rockies: Rodgers is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak, and he has four multi-hit performances across that span. During his streak, the 25-year-old has slashed .389/.405/.750 with four home runs, a double, eight runs and eight RBI. The middle infielder's chances to drive in runs have been relatively limited while he's hitting mainly in the second spot in the order, but he's had plenty of production during his hitting streak. FAAB: $5

Outfield

Jarred Kelenic, Mariners: Kelenic has had a season marred with growing pains and has struggled to reach base throughout his rookie year, but he's been a strong fantasy contributor across the last week. The 22-year-old has slashed .348/.464/.913 with three homers, a triple, two doubles, seven runs, seven RBI and two stolen bases across the last seven games. He's been an everyday player for Seattle and has finally put up some of the production that fantasy managers have been waiting for since he made his major-league debut. FAAB: $12

Jesus Sanchez, Marlins: Sanchez is included in the column for a second straight week since he's remained productive for Miami with an everyday spot in the heart of the order. Across his last seven appearances, the outfielder has slashed .308/.387/.692 with three home runs, a double, eight RBI and six runs. While the 23-year-old hasn't displayed quite as much power across the last week, he's still been effective at producing runs and getting on base. FAAB: $10

Austin Hays, Orioles: Hays has had consistent playing time in the top half of the Orioles' lineup recently and has recorded hits in each of the last eight games. During that time, he's slashed .300/.382/.667 with three home runs, two doubles, nine RBI, five runs and a stolen base. The 26-year-old's .466 slugging rate on the season leaves something to be desired, but he's displayed increased power while driving in plenty of runs during his current hitting streak. FAAB: $7

Max Kepler, Twins: Kepler went 0-for-11 with three strikeouts during Minnesota's weekend series against the Blue Jays, but he was dominant in the team's two-game set against the Cubs. Across the last two contests, he went 6-for-9 with two home runs, a double, five RBI and four runs. Although Kepler will face Toronto again this weekend, he has favorable matchups against the Tigers and Royals during the final week of the regular season. FAAB: $4

Chas McCormick, Astros: McCormick is more widely available and has had less consistent playing time than some of the other outfielders on the list, but he's still been productive across the last week. The 26-year-old has slashed .375/.400/.625 with two home runs, six RBI, four runs and a stolen base across his last eight appearances. While McCormick has had to split playing time in the outfield while hitting near the bottom of the Astros' lineup, he's had little trouble reaching base in recent contests, and he's displayed increased production in his counting stats. FAAB: $3